The activation lock protects iPhones/iPads from theft. It prevents anyone other than the iPhone’s rightful owner from using the iPhone in any way. However, on pre-owned phone owners, it can become tasking looking for reliable methods to unlock iPhones iCloud activation lock.

Before you can activate the used iPhone you bought online, the previous owner must remove the iCloud Activation Lock. Several people find that they have a problem when the iPhone still has an iCloud lock.

How does the iCloud Activation Lock Work?

The iCloud Activation Lock still confuses some people. On the one hand, Apple designed it as a security feature. On the other side, it has left a trail of locked and unusable iPhones all around the world. Its primary function as a lock feature works both for and against iPhone users.

The iCloud lock works as a “Find My iPhone” feature. As suggested, when enabled it requires that you provide the Apple credentials used to lock the device. The activation lock screen stays in place as long as the iPhone has “Find My iPhone” activated.

Every iPhone user who sets up an iCloud account can access it on the web from a laptop or other Internet-enabled device. From the site, an iPhone user can initiate the Lost Mode. The Lost Mode is another “Find My iPhone” feature. It allows the iPhone owner to send a message to their lost device remotely.

Anyone trying to use, erase, and re-activate an iCloud locked iPhone must provide the Apple ID password to bypass the iCloud activation screen. It means that if you find a lost iPhone or buy a used one online with an activation lock, you will not be able to use it before unlocking it.

Why do You Need to Unlock iPhones iCloud Activation Lock

The first and foremost reason why you do not want to encounter an iCloud Activation Lock on your iPhone you just bought is that it prevents you from using it.

With the feature enabled on an iPhone, it means that the device belongs to someone else. Even if you bought it legally, the iCloud lock prevents you from using the iPhone. Whether the owner just forgot to unlink it from their account; they control the device because the iCloud lock prevents you from ever using the iPhone.

Therefore, you want to unlock iPhones iCloud activation lock to make sure that you can use its full functions and features.

3 Ways to Unlock iPhones Activation Lock

iCloud locks present themselves in either of three ways and each state determines the best approach to unlock your iPhone.

Unlock iPhones iCloud Activation on Suspended Account

Apple can suspend iCloud accounts when they detect unusual activities. Usually, it happens when several attempts to unlock an iCloud lock fails. It means that someone tries to enter different passwords multiple times to unlock an activation screen.

In such an instance, Apple will suspend the iCloud account for security reasons. It also means that whoever was attempting to unlock the device must have details about the Apple ID (email) used to create the account. Usually, it happens when friends, family, or spouses try to snoop on your phone.

Unlocking a suspended iCloud account is as simple as requesting a password change through the Apple ID site. However, you will need access to the Apple ID (email) linked to the particular account. You will also need answers to the security questions chosen when setting up the account to change the iCloud account password.

Forgotten Password/Linked iCloud Account

It happens, and some people just can’t remember their iCloud account passwords. In such a case, you can quickly reset your password through the Apple ID site. However, if you cannot remember the security questions or no longer have access to the email you used to set up the account, it becomes recovering your iCloud account details.

In this case, you have to contact Apple support and have them either delete the iCloud account or help you recover it. You must have proof of ownership and any other necessary information required to make such a request.

Also, this option will not work if you bought an iCloud locked iPhone and you do not have the account details needed to change the password. Either way, you have to reach out to the seller/original owner so that they can remove the iPhone from their iCloud linked devices list.

Unlock iPhones iCloud Activation on Lost/Stolen Devices

Unlocking an iPhone with a lost/stolen iCloud lock becomes more difficult, but also somewhat simpler. Such an iCloud lock state will come with a phone number displayed on the screen along with a message saying that the iPhone is lost.

You can call the number and ask the iPhone owner to help you unlock the iPhone. However, remember that they placed the device in Lost Mode meaning that they want it back. It becomes a big problem for anyone who spent a few hundred dollars buying it from an online store.

You just never know, the iPhone owner might be understanding enough to unlock the iPhone for you. Another option is offering to sell the iPhone back to them so that you can get the money you spent back. It sounds like a tall order, but some people are reasonable and might agree to these terms.